'Real Life' Motoring

Improving an already impressive car, Citroën has confirmed to MotorMartin how they have added a brand new powertrain option to their flagship C5 Aircross SUV range. Available on the two most popular trim levels in the UK, ‘Flair’ and ‘Flair+’, the French marque have explained how they have introduced a PureTech 130 S&S (Stop & Start) EAT8 eight-speed automatic option, replacing the SUV’s current PureTech 180 S&S EAT8 automatic versions. Good news indeed.

This efficient new powertrain option, Citroën say, is available for customers to order now, with production starting in February 2020 and first deliveries expected in March 2020. It combines the multi-award winning PureTech 130 S&S engine – the manual version of which has proven to be the most popular engine choice among New C5 Aircross SUV customers – with the seamless eight-speed EAT8 automatic gearbox.

Citroën have also shared how, in addition to the new powertrain introduction, and as part of a re-homologation process, selected BlueHDi diesel engines in the New C5 Aircross SUV range benefit from significant CO2 reductions. All 1.5L BlueHDi 130 S&S manual versions see a 3g/km decrease, from 108g/km to 105g/km, whilst the 1.5L BlueHDi 130 S&S EAT8 automatic versions see an even greater reduction of 5g/km, from 105g/km to 100g/km. This reduction will continue to position New C5 Aircross SUV amongst the very best in the segment.

Since launching in January 2019, New C5 Aircross SUV has been recognised as ‘Car of the Year’ and ‘Best Medium SUV’ in the DieselCar & EcoCar magazine ‘Top 50’, and, more recently, the car was awarded the ‘Comfort Award’ in the annual carwow Car of the Year Awards.

In 2020, the award-winning New C5 Aircross SUV range will also see the introduction of a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option, marking the first step in Citroën’s electrification offensive – a strategy that will come to full fruition by 2025.